Filling holes or gaps in mathematical knowledge.

[mindheavy]

I graduated high school nine years ago. The highest math I took then was Algebra II, as I had little interest then. After a seven year career, I was able to go back to school and have made it to Calculus I this semester. I struggled some in college algebra, finding out that there were fundamental things here and there I had either forgotten entirely or just never learned. Trigonometry was a neat semester, but I got a little discouraged again, realizing how much geometry I had forgotten.

Now I'm in Calculus I, and the use of Algebra is ramping back up. I have gotten by OK so far, but every assignment I find myself having to dig out old algebra and even arithmetic books to learn fundamental rules and methods.

This worries me since I'm working towards a Mechanical Engineering degree, which is going to be very math intensive. Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions? Should I try something else or will it get better if I keep returning to basic material to learn something I need to get through what I'm working on currently? I (now) have a true interest in learning mathematics, but it gets discouraging sometimes with how spotted my overall knowledge of it is.

 

[Kuhan]

just learn the fundamentals that you don't know, it shouldn't take too long.
seriously, what can you do without it?
Cmon, maybe drop some classes this semester so you can focus on mastering the basics... just incorporate it into your schedule